Foot elevating device



Dec. 9, 1941.

w. M.-SCHOLL FOOT ELEVATING DEVICE Filed June 26', 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l1386- 1941. w. M. SCHOLL FOOT ELEVATING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1941 2Sheets-Sheet 2 hxfi m 5 mN Patented Dec. 9, 1941 Application June 26,1941, Serial No. 399,775

18 Claims. (01. 12-142) The improvements relate toshoes, andparticularly to low shoes or oxfords, in which there is inserted orincorporated by cementing or otherwise an insert or insole for elevatingthe foot of the wearer at the instep and heel portion, or heel portionalone.

Devices of this kind have a corrective use for persons who throughaccident, deformity or disease have one leg shorter than the other orone foot raised above the other, but their principal use is for personswho wish to appear taller. Where an elevation of one inch or more isrequired the shoe should be specially constructed to accommodate theheight increasing insert or build-up, and even when elevations of lessthan one inch and as low as five-eighths of an inch are produced, it isadvisable to do so. This special construction usually consists inincreasing the height of the counter of the shoe when it ismanufactured, so that the heel and instep of the wearer will not beraised above the counter so far as'to make the shoe likely to slip offin walking or running. But as various persons require various elevationsin order to meet their demands, it is necessary for the shoemanufacturerand dealer to make and keep on hand a large stock of shoes havingvarious counter elevations from one-half inch to as much as threeinches, and this involves a very heavy cost. The extra price charged forsuch shoes is also an obstacle to their sale and -.use.

The present improvements are designed to provide a stature increasing orfoot elevating device which can be worn in any ordinary readymade shoewithout requiring any change in the original construction, can be easilyapplied to such shoe and at a small expense for labor and materials,will give the necessary build-up, will prevent the wearers foot frombeing exposed above the shoe and the shoe from slipping ofi, and willmake it unnecessary for the manufacturer and dealer to make and keep instock special shoes to accommodate difierent elevations in the variousshoe sizes.

' The improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,referred to herein, in whichj I ,II Fig. 1' is a side elevation of ashoe broken awayto show the elevating member and counter extension; I

"Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section substantially on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows in that figure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective inside view of the extension strip as applied toa shoe;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modification;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a plan of the extension strip as it is made and sold forapplication to the shoes.

The extension strip l 'is formed of two long, flat, curved pieces ofleather (Fig. 6) joined at their shorter edges by a seam 2 and bothpieces' being in two sections joined by a flattened seam 3, and thestrip made of the united pieces having one or more lace-eyelets 8,according to its width, arranged to correspond in spacing with theeyelets of the shoe. The longer edges of the pieces are free and areskived, as shown at 4, to reduce the thickness of the strip along thisedge-so that the edge may be inserted between the outer leather 5 andthe lining 6 of theshoe at the top edge of the counter (Figs. 2 and 4)and upper vampwhich in low shoes are usually in one piece-and unitedtherewith, by stitching 7 running through all these parts, withoutproducing a foot-irritating ridge or bead.

It will be noted that the extension strip shown-which is full size for anumber 10 shoe with one inch elevation--in flat plan (Fig. 6) is at ofthe strip is similarly curved on a radius of five inches, and as circlesvary according to pi and the strip is approximately two-fifths of acircle, the outer edge is approximatelyone and one-fourth inches longerthan the inner edge. Ifthe width of thestrip is greater the differencewill, of course, be greater and if less the difference will be less, butthe difference willalways be in proportion to the width of the strip andthe decrease from outer to inner edge will be uniform throughout. Thismeans that the opening at the top of the shoe which surrounds the footjust below the ankle when the strip is applied in vertical position willbe approximately the same for all elevations if the shorter edge is ofthe same length and the longer edge is cut back on a bevel at the frontor cut out on a V at the back to compensate forthe increased length ofthe arc, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 6. It will therefore fitthe foot of thetaken in or let out for that purpose.

the foot. Should any small adjustment be required, however, the seam 3at the back may be Thus, a rule of the thumb has been discovered byfollowing which the extension of the counter may always be accomplishedwithout impairing the fit of the shoe.

The foot elevating insert I is preferably made of cork or other slightlyelastic material and is shaped to fit the heel and arch of the normal 1'foot. It can, however, be shaped to fit abnormal or deformed feet, andits top cover H may extend to the toe of the shoe. This elevating memberis preferably sheathed at bottom and sides in light flexible leather, asindicated at l2, and is cemented to the top of the inner sole of theshoe to which its bottom conforms. It has a raised waist portion l3 tosupport the instep arch of the foot, since-the foot is elevated to agreater or less extent above the normal instep supporting portion of theshoe. The elevating member ID has its greatest elevation beneath theheel and is tapered gradually toward the ball of the foot, where itterminates, so that the ball of the foot and the metatarsal andphalangeal portions thereof occupy approximately their normal positionin the shoe. The counter and vamp portion of the shoe is represented atl4, the toe at l5, sole at IBand heel at H, all of which are of .usualand ordinary construction, as are also the lace-eyelets I8. I

In the modification of Figs. 4 and 5, the counter extending strip l isconnected with the elevating insert ill by means of a tongue 20 having alaterally extending portion 2| at its top and portions 22 and 23 at itsbottom, preferably of fabric, adapted to extend down behind and underthe said elevating member and to be secured by the cement which unitesthe latter to the shoe insole. It is also preferably cemented orotherwise secured to the underside of the insert Hi, the connectionbeing a tacky cement or other connecting means which will permit e'xactadjustment of the strip 20. Another purpose is served by this tonguewhen the laterally extending portion is cemented to the extension stripI from the top to a point just above the skiving, since it gives theshoemaker an accurate gage at the back of the depth to which the saidstrip is to be inserted between the layers of the counter at the top,after he has opened the top sea-m of the shoe. At the front'this depthcan be accurately gaged by the eyelets and also by leaving the top andfront seam closed up to the proper point.

The stitches 1 are run through the top of the outer material 5 and thelining 6 and the skived portion of the extension strip between them,also 'through the portion 2| of the non-slip connecting tongue (Fig. 4),and replaced the usual stitching around the top of the shoe. Stitches 9also extend through the strip and the tongue around the top edge anddown to the stitches remaining in the front flap between the eyelets andthe edge thereof, and where they-join these latter stitches also extendthrough the original outer ply and liningiFig. 1). The tongue 20 mayalso be secured to the lining at the wheel by stitching or cement, and astrongcement is also usually applied between these outer and inner pliesand the lower edge of the extension strip before the stitches I aremade.

In order to meet the demands of customers who desire to have elevatinginserts incorporated in their shoes -either old or new-the dealer keepson hand a set of these inserts and also of the exdifferent shades oftan, or the manufacturer or jobber supplies them on order. They alsokeep on hand white extension strips. If desired, they may dye theextension strips to match the color of the shoe, and if they do this thenon-slip tongue member may be attached to the extension strip after thelatter is dyed, as this member is of rubberized material or providedwith an inner rubber or rubberized cover, as indicated in Fig. 4.' Theextension strip should be inwidth about equal to the thickness of theelevating insert or a little less. For elevations not over onehalf inchno extension strip is needed, particularly where a non-slip device isapplied to the shoe down the back-stay portion inside, and in this case,the retail dealer may stock the nonslip devices unattached to theextension strip and secure them thereto when desired in his shoe repairdepartment or have them so secured by a local repair shop. The wearermay also purchase the desired inserts and extensions of the manufactureror dealer and have them applied to his shoes by a repair shop.

It will thus be apparent that all the improvements make provision forall contingencies arising in connection with the use of elevating inaseparate counter extending member comprising a long relatively narrowstrip of strong, pliable material detached from but adapted to besecured around the upper edge of the top of a shoe in which the insertis plaped, to support itself in position extending above the said topand to substantially surround theunlaced top opening of the shoe, thewidth of said strip corresponding approximately to the thickness of saidinsert to compensate for the elevation of the foot by the latter.

2. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foo-t of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counterextending member comprising a long relatively narrow strip of strong,pliable material detached from but adapted to be secured around theupper edge of the top of a shoe in which the insert is placed, tosupport itself in position extending above the said top and tosubstantially surround the unlaced top opening of the shoe, the width ofsaid strip being at least suificient to compensate for the elevation ofthe foot by said insert.

3. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof 'and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a longrelatively narrow strip of strong, pliablematerial detached from but adapted to be secured around the upper edgeof the top of a sho in which the insert is placed, to support itself inposition extending above the said top and to substantially surround theunlaced top opening of the shoe, the width of said strip being at leastposition extending above the said top and to substantially surround theunlaced top opening of suflicient to compensate for the elevation of theand at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and to elevate the footof the wearer in the shoe, a separate counterextending member comprisinga long relatively narrow strip of strong, pliable material detached frombut adapted to be secured around the upper edge of the top of a shoe inwhich the insert is placed, to support itself in position extendingabove the said top and to substantially surround the unlaced top openingof the shoe, the width of said strip being at least suflicient tocompensate for the elevation of the foot by said insert, saidstrip beingformed fiat on a curve having a length substantially equal to thecircumference of the upper edge of the I shoe when it is applied theretoin upright position at its inner edge and its outer edge of greaterlength and adapted to be secured to said top, said outer edge beingreduced in length by cutting out tapering portions of the strip.

5., In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a long relatively narrow strip of strong, pliablematerial detached from but adapted to be secured around the upper edgeof the top of a shoe in which the insert is placed, to support itself inposition extending above the said topand to substantially surround theunlaced top opening of the shoe, the width of said-strip being at leastsuiiicient to compensate for the elevation of the foot by said insertand meansfor connecting said insert and strip. 7

6. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe onthe'inner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof the shoe,the width of said strip being at least sufiicient to compensate for theelevation of the foot by said insert and means for connecting saidinsert and strip comprising a flat piece of material connected with bothand its length between them being less than the distance from the top ofthe insert to the top of the shoe.

8. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a long relatively narrow strip of strong, pliablematerial detached from but adapted to be secured around the upper edgeof the top of a shoe in which the insert is placed, to support'itself inposition extending abovethe said top and to substantially surround theunlaced top opening of the shoe, the width of said strip being at leastsufficient to compensate for the elevation of the foot by saidinsert-and means for connecting said insert and strip, said means beinga fiat extending piece at the heel of said parts secured to the striponly at the part of the latter which proand to elevate the foot of thewearer in the shoe,

a separate counted extending member comprising a long relatively narrowstrip of strong, pliable material detached from but adapted to besecured around the upper edge of the top of a shoe in which the insertis placed, to support itself in position extending above the said topand to substantially surround the unlaced top opening of the shoe, thewidth of said strip being at least sufficient to compensate for theelevation of the foot by said insert and means for connecting saidinsert and strip, said means being a flat extending piece at the heel ofsaid parts having an exposed non-slip surface.

7. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a long relatively narrow strip of strong, pliablematerial detached from but adapted to be secured around the upper edgeof the top of a shoe in which the insert is placed, to support itself inJ'ects above the upper edge of the shoe when said strip is connectedwith said shoe.

9. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter-extendingmember comprising a long relatively.narrow strip of strong,

pliable material detached from but adapted to be secured around theupper edge of the top of a shoe in which the insert is placed, tosupport it-; self in position extending above the said top and tosubstantially surround theunlaced top opening of the shoe, the width ofsaid strip corresponding approximately to the thickness of said insertto compensate for the elevation of the. foot by the latter, said inserthaving skived lower edges adapted to be inserted between the outerleather and the lining of the shoe at the top edge of the shoe andsecured thereto by stitches running through all three parts.

10. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion'thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a long relatively narrow strip of leather detachedfrom but adapted to be secured around the upper edge'of the top of ashoe in which the insert is placed, to support itself in positionextending above the said top and to substantially Y surround the unlacedtop opening of the shoe, the width of said strip being at leastsufiicient for the elevation of the foot by to compensate said insert.

11. In a foot elevating device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and'at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a long relatively narrow strip composed oftwo plys ofstrong, pliable material connected along their upper edges only detachedfrom but adapted to be secured around and within the upper edge of thetop of ashoe in which the tially equal to the circumference of the upperedge of the shoe when it is applied thereto in upright position and itsouter edges skived and of greater length and adapted to be insertedwithin said top.

,12. In a foot elevating-device, in combination with an insert ofsubstantial thickness adapted to be positioned inside a shoe on theinner sole and at the instep arch and heel portion thereof and toelevate the foot of the wearer in the shoe, a separate counter extendingmember comprising a long relatively narrow strip of strong, pliablematerial detached from but adapted to be secured around the upper edgeof the top of a shoe in which the insert is placed, to support itself inposition extending above the said top and to substantially surround theunlaced top opening of the shoe, the width of said strip being at leastsufficient to compensate for the elevation of the foot by said insert,said strip being formed flat approximately on arcs of difierent radiidrawn from a common center and having a length at its inner edgesubstantially equal to the circumference of the upper edge of the shoewhen it is applied thereto in upright position and its outer edge ofgreater length and adapted to be secured to said top.

13. A shoe, a foot elevating insert of substantial thickness upon the,inner sole therein, a separate extension strip secured upon the upperedge of the counter thereof of a width approximately equal to thethickness of the insert of material similar to that of the shoe top andmatching it in color, said strip having an eyelet therein in line withthe lacing eyelets of the shoe.

14. A shoe, a foot elevating insertof substantial thickness upon theinner sole therein, a separate extension strip secured upon the upperedge of the counter thereof of a width approxifmately equal to thethickness of the insert of material similar to that of the shoe top, anda flat strip or strap connectingthe said extension strip or tongue andthe insert at the inside of the heel portion of the shoe.

15. In a foot elevating device an extension member to be applied to theupper edge of the top of a shoe and to extend above said top tocompensate for the elevation of the foot of the wearer by a foot raisinginsert on the bottom of the shoe, said extension member comprising astrip of material similar to that of the shoe top composed of strong,pliable self-supporting material curved and shaped along its upper edgeto approximate the upper edge of the shoe to which it is applied andhaving a length approximately ,equalto that of the said upper edge ofthe shoe and having its lower edge skived to a depth sufllcient to beattached to said upper edge of the shoe by a line of stitching runningthrough both thus reducing the thickness of the said connected edges. I

16. The method of fitting a shoe with a foot elevating device whichconsists in providing the rear portion of the shoe inside with an insertor insole having a thickness substantially equal to the elevationdesired then applying around the upper edge of the shoe counter a stripof material matching the material of the adjacent part of the shoe andhaving a width approximating the thickness of the insert and providedwith lace-eyelets corresponding and in line with the lace-eyelets of theshoe, said strip being preformed-by cutting out a flat curved piece ofmaterial having one edge substantially equal to the circumference ofsaid upper edge and: the other edge of the strip longer but curved ionsubstantially an extension of the radius on which the first edge is cutdrawn from a common centre:

1'7. The method of fitting a shoe with a- -fo'ot.

elevating device which consists in providing the;

rear portion of the shoe inside with an insert or insole having athickness substantially equal to the elevation desired then applyingaround" the upper edge of the shoe counter a strip of material matchingthe material of the adjacent part of the shoe and having a widthapproximating the thickness of the insert and provided with lace-eyeletscorresponding and in line with the lace-eyelets of the shoe, said stripbeing preformed by cutting out a fiat curved piece of material havingone edge substantially equal to the circumference of said upper edge andthe other edge of the strip longer but curved on substantially anextension of the radius on which the first edge is cut drawn from acommon centre then cutting out beveled portions of the strip to reducethe length of the second edge and uniting the edges of the cut.

18. The method of fitting a shoe with a foot elevating device whichconsists in providing the rear portion of the shoeinside with an insertor insole having a thickness substantially equal to the elevationdesired then applying around the upper edge of the shoe counter a stripof material matching the material of the adjacent part of the shoe andhaving a width approximating the thickness of the insert and providedwith laceeyelets corresponding and in line with the laceeyelets of theshoe, said strip being preformed by cutting out a fiat curved piece ofmaterial having one edge substantially equal to the circumference ofsaid upper edge and the other edge of the strip longer but curvedonsubstantially an extension of the radius on which the first edge is cutdrawn from a common-centre then uniting the insert and strip by aconnecting piece secured to the heel portions of both and providing saidpiece with a friction increasing surface.

' WILLIAM M. SCHOLL.

